Penguin stranded in New Zealand to get lift halfway home to Antarctica

A penguin that turned up on a New Zealand beach will get a helping hand back to its Antarctic home â but only half way.

Happy Feet is now recovering at Wellington Zoo, but will only get a lift halfway home (Pic: Getty)

The young bird â dubbed Happy Feet â will be released into the Southern Ocean, from where it will have to swim the remaining distance.

The area is on the northern edge of the polar region where young emperor penguins are known to live on pack ice and open sea, according to experts.The department of conservationâs Peter Simpson was unsure how far the penguin would have to swim before reaching its final destination.